I have always really enjoyed JD Barker’s work. The plot of this book is very intricate and well woven, but the story didn’t really connect for me.

I loved the 4MK series, and this didn’t disappoint! I loved how this made you think about how much of a role technology plays into our lives and how we nonchalantly agree to Terms of Service on a variety of apps. This was a quick read for me despite the overall length of the book. 5 stars!

I am a big fan of J.D. Barker. Every book I have read that was written by him has been 5 stories. He's a great horror/thriller writer. So when I started reading this book, I had to double check the author. I thought I was reading an erotica. This is not a typical J.D. Barker book. Still great writing but the story was a little unbelievable.
Love the cover but not sure it fits with the storyline.

Thank you to NetGalley, Hampton Creek Press and J.D. Barker for an ARC of "Behind a Closed Door".

Love turns deadly when Abby and Brendan download a new truth or dare app to help them spice up their marriage.

This book started off super strong and I was really into it, but then it started to drag. I was surprised when the real action started that I was barely 50% through the book, and the next 30% seemed to be a very dragged out and complicated game of cat and mouse. The final 20% did pique my interest again up until a satisfying conclusion. I did enjoy the plot and thought it was super fun and original to read. It was certainly unrealistic but that didn't take away from my enjoyment. This was my first time reading this author, and based on this book, I'd probably give another one a try.

3.25/5⭐

Abby and Brendan are having marital difficulties, they decide to seek out counselling to help guide them back to each other. Their therapist Dr Donetti suggests downloading an app called Sugar & Spice to add a little fun back in to their marriage. What starts out as a little fun, quickly turns dark, as it tries to take over their lives.

This book was not my favourite. It was a little far fetched and predictable for me. It fell a little flat after reading the Fourth Monkey series.

I loved this author's 4MK trilogy. I have Dracul on my wishlist. I jumped to get a chance to read this and then the drama happened last month. I sat on whether or not I wanted to read this after that, and curiosity won out. The book is good. It went places I wasn't expecting and reminded me of some of the works by Johnathan Athan. Dark things happen, and chaos ensues, all from one tiny little relationship aid app. It was a lot of twisty fun to read.

When I first started the book, it took me a minute to figure out who the different characters were but then I realized it had multiple povs in the book. After I got the characters all sorted out in my head, the book was very suspenseful and I had to keep reading to figure out what was going to happen next. Not one time did I ever know what was going to happen next. That’s the mark of a good thriller book.

Great read. It will make me think twice before downloading apps!! Will definitely need to make sure I am reading the fine print ;)
Overall the book was very entertaining and kept me hooked. Extremely suspenseful in some parts.. and raunchy in others; however, it was a good balance.

What drew me to this book was initially the cover. It’s a strong depiction of themes throughout the book with puzzles. I look forward to reading more of J.D. Barker’s work.

Fast-paced and terrifying, this book kept me turning the pages! If it doesn't make you think twice the next time you download an app without reading all the fine print I don't know what will. Some of the content was a bit over the top for me, but I did enjoy the intricacy of the plot and the constant suspense.

I did not love this book. Too much violence and too much weird sexual stuff. The writing style was good, but overall it was just too much for me and I couldn’t enjoy it.

Hugely enjoyable over the top cautionary tale about technology and consumerism. Don’t download the app called Sugar and Spice!

Sex, money, murder, torture, conspiracy theories, this one throws everything and then some into the story that’s really a social commentary on consumerism, social media, social isolation etc.

It’s all wrapped up in this near cartoonish violence and sex with enough tension and jeopardy to keep you reading.

The premise was great and so well set up that it could only end in a slightly disappointing way and on that front it didn’t disappoint. The questions were much more interesting than the answers.

I would guess the author had great fun writing this. Think of Fifty Shades mixed with The Game and you will get a flavour of what this is like.

A tad too long and yes you do have to suspend disbelief for large parts but it sure is one hell of a fun ride for the most part.

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC through Netgalley.

I'm a big fan of JD Barker, so I was excited to read another stand-alone, non-collaboration thriller from him. This is a book that will make you think twice about downloading an app, as well as think about all the creepy things technology can do.

Sugar & Spice is the newest app craze and Abbie and Brendan download it at the suggestion of their relationship therapist. It's kind of like a Truth or Dare app where you earn points. Unfortunately, Abbie and Brendan have no idea what's in store for them as they start to participate in some of the app's unusual tasks.

I loved the cover of this book, especially because it really depicts the puzzle that resonates throughout this book. I was constantly trying to put all the pieces together to figure out what was going on and how all the parts were connected. Overall, the final twist and reveal is a little over the top, but it's also scary to think there could be someone out there like that. Yikes!

A twisty action-packed story by one of my favorite authors.

The day the married couple Abby and Brendan visit a therapist to solve their marital issues would be a day they would wish they could forget.
After the routine questions, answers and discussions, the therapist recommends the couple to download an app which would help them work out their problems and bring them closer together.
The day Abby and Brendan download the app is the day their nightmares begin.

Welcome to ‘Sugar & Spice’!
The object of the game is to complete tasks and earn points accordingly.
You either select Sugar which is simple and mild or Spice which is more difficult and risqué.
Playing the game is easy.
Leaving the game is not.

Thanks to the talented J.D. Barker, the NetGalley and Hampton Creek Press for my free copy of the book.

A disturbing crime thriller with a high level of soft pornography plus excessive amount of violence. This book was not to my taste.

OMG!! This was such a good book! I love JD Barker! And with Apps being all the rage right now is was nice to read about things like this. I can't wait for anyone and everyone to read this book. Some might think it is a little dark but others are going to love it!

I've read a couple of J.D. Barker's books. I enjoyed the suspense, the colourful characters and fast-paced action, so when I saw this title on NetGalley, I immediately requested it, hoping it would get me out of a reading slump.

In Behind a Closed Door, Abby and Brendan Hollander's marriage is on the rocks. They enlist the aid of a therapist, who suggests that they try the highly popular Sugar and Spice AP to try and rekindle the passion in their marriage.

What follows is a raunchy ride: "antics" in elevators, bathrooms in high class restaurants, masked clandestine rendezvous - and this is just the tip of the iceberg!

I won't go into any more details because it would spoil the adventure, but that explosive ending and the epilogue were well worth the constantly twisting ride. I will say this: Abby, the aspiring novelist in this story, is such a versatile badass!

For those who like a bit of "spice" in their suspense/action genre reading: this one's for YOU! My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately this was a DNF for me. The writing was okay. The story over the top and disturbing.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Behind a Closed Door was my introductory book to J.D Barker and it certainly won’t be my last. This thriller hooked me right from the beginning and kept me intrigued all the way through.

Read if you enjoy
- Dark and suspenseful thrillers
- App taking the world by storm
- Taboo tasks
- Truth or Dare Vibes
- Multiple POVs
- No Cliffhangers

Rating: 4.5 ⭐️

This book follows the story of multiple characters. The main ones being Brendan and Abby, who hit a rocky patch in their marriage and decide to attend couples counseling. By the end of the session, they leave with a suggestion and some homework from their therapist. Download the new and popular app Sugar & Spice and complete a few challenges. What could be the worse that could happen?

They begin rekindling their relationship and become eager to continue their exploration, until the app begins pushing them to do riskier and more taboo tasks. How safe are we in this world of technology when we grant an app access to our lives?

It’s been a while since I’ve read a thriller that kept me entertained!

Release Date: May 13, 2024

*Thank you to Netgalley and Hampton Creek Press for an ARC.

*Check trigger warnings before reading. It has strong language and content*

This was a bit of 50 Shades meets the movie Nerve.

Quick Synopsis: Abby and Brendan are having marital problems and enlist the help of a marriage counselor. She suggests a new App called Sugar and Spice. Kinda like a Truth and Dare. What starts out harmless turns into something much more nefarious.

What I liked: The idea of it. Very original but I for sure wouldn't take part in it!!! It was a super fast read and almost felt like two books in one but it worked out very well.

What I didn't like: Not much. Once it got rolling it rolled, but it did get a bit OTT, but that is ok as it worked well together. However, I had a hard time, once I realized the outcome, pulling it together. The end was one of those that felt out of left field and a nice neat bow.

Would recommend. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

“Would you kill a stranger to save your partner’s life?”

When married couple Abby and Brendan visit a marriage counselor to work through some problems they’ve been having, including sexual, she recommends they download an app called Sugar & Spice to well, Spice things up.

What follows is a rollercoaster ride of action, suspense and excitement very on par with Barker’s other works.

While there are definitely parts of the book that are over the top, there are parts that frankly, scare the crap out of me. The AI aspect, the way people are motivated by sex, money and power. Barker takes those ideas and runs with them.

While, not for everyone, I’ve enjoyed JD Barker’s writing since reading his 4MK series years ago and this one did not disappoint. I love the way he works through multiple storylines within the story and leaves you surprised with the way each one resolves itself. I did figure out one part before it was revealed this time, so yay me.

I found this to be a very quick read, jam packed with drama with a satisfying ending. Had it not been for some of the completely unbelievable parts (can’t get into them without spoiling things), I would have awarded 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hampton Creek Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.